Merizon Group Incorporated Acquired by Xerox

Xerox Corporation, one of the biggest manufacturers of copiers, printers, multifunction devices and related products in the world (and one of the most well-known), has just announced that its Global Imaging Systems subsidiary has acquired Merizon Group Incorporated, a copier and printer distributor, in the latest in a series of office services company acquisitions. The terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed by either company.

Xerox stated that the purchase built on the company's strategy of quote "creating a nationwide network of locally-based companies focused on improving document workflow and office efficiency." Xerox's Global Imaging Office Technology Division is responsible for the selling of printers, copiers and other office products for Xerox and has bought multiple companies in states like Iowa, New York, Illinois, Virginia and Florida this year alone.

Merizon's MBM division, which is based in Appleton, Wisconsin, is responsible for the distribution of Canon, Samsung, and Kyocera Mita brand printers, copiers, multifunction devices and other office products. The MBM division will start offering Xerox's printing products, as well as the company's print services, to its customers said the company in a recent statement.

Xerox is definitely looking to expand its business, especially with these recent purchases in Iowa, New York, Illinois, Virginia, Florida and now, most recently, Wisconsin. If Xerox keeps it up, we can expect some pretty big things from the company come 2012.

Source: Bloomberg Businessweek - Xerox buys Merizon for undisclosed sum

Computer Service Now

HP's New LaserJet Pro 100 Color Multifunction Printer

The new HP LaserJet Pro 100 is, overall, a solid color laser printer that is perfect for personal use. However, the high cost of consumables, along with the rather slow print speeds and missing features help limit the overall productivity of the device for use in home offices. If you are thinking of picking up the LaserJet Pro 100 for your home office, you may want to reconsider, especially since there are far better options out there that may cost you more up front but will, in turn, save you tons of money in the long run.

The LaserJet Pro 100 bears an almost exact resemblance to its predecessor, the LaserJet Pro M1212nf. However, this model is a step-up and cuts out the fax machine in favor of color printing that utilizes HP's innovative new carousel-style cartridge bay. The device also puts off a small carbon footprint by dumping the autoduplexer from the M1212nf and the rotating cartridge bay also helps with size, though at the expense of printing speed.

If you are looking at this device for a larger office, you may prefer to use a heavy-duty printer like the Dell 1355cnw multifunction printer but the LaserJet Pro 100 is still adequate for your small home office needs as it takes advantage of HP's unique features like ePrint and Smart Install as well as the device's own 35-page autodocument feeder.

As far as pros and cons go, the pros consist of the fact that the LaserJet Pro 100 will save you a ton of space while also offering professional-quality color documents with three-way network connectivity and cloud printing. The cons consist of print speeds being slower than average and the lack of autoduplexing which means more time and paper wasted. You can pick up the LaserJet Pro 100 printer from HP for $350.

Source: CNET - HP LaserJet Pro 100 Color MFP

Power Point Projectors
Most business class projectors will do a good job displaying your PowerPoint presentation. If you have a small presentation group, a 2000 lumen LCD projector will be able to produce a nice and clear picture. For larger audiences you should consider a 5000 lumen LCD projector.